The career of an RAF aircraft technician lies in ruins after he was jailed for four years for causing the death of a motorcyclist by his “appalling” driving.

The career of an RAF aircraft technician lies in ruins after he was jailed for four years for causing the death of a motorcyclist by his “appalling” driving.

Christopher Harris, 27 was involved in a collision with motorcyclist John Dossett, 59, of West Dereham, who was killed just 10 days short of his 60th birthday and his retirement.

Harris was driving to Munford on the A134 at Lynford when he overtook a transit van and struck Mr Dossett's bike.

Norwich Crown Court heard that Harris ignored warning signs about the dips in that part of the road and solid white lines telling drivers not to overtake.

Harris, of Campion Road, Thetford, had denied causing death by dangerous driving but was convicted following a trial. He appeared for sentence yesterday.

The court heard that Harris had a poor driving record. In November 2000 he drove with excess alcohol and while uninsured and he also had a conviction for driving without due care and attention in 2005.

Jailing him and imposing a five-year driving ban Recorder Ian Foster told him: “This was an appalling piece of driving.”

He said Harris had ignored warning signs not to overtake and said: “Your situation is made worse by your poor driving record.”

However he accepted that the sentence would mean his RAF career would be over and that he himself was injured in the crash.

“You are going to have to live for the rest of your life with the knowledge that you deprived an innocent man of his life.”

He also passed on his sympathy to the wife and family of Mr Dossett who attended the sentencing hearing and the trial for the dignified manner in which they had behaved throughout.

Ian James, mitigating, said that Harris had no recollection about the crash.

He said Harris had been injured himself and said: “He will lose a considerable amount as he is bound to be discharged from the RAF.”

He said that he had written a letter of apology to the Dossett family but was advised not to send it.

“This has taught him a lesson. He is genuinely very sorry for the consequence of his behaviour.”

After the case Insp Julian Moulton for the Western area backed up the comments of the judge and said that a “moment of madness” by Harris had led to lifetime of misery for others.